CreatureData

Pale fox vs Red fox

The red fox is heavier: 5.48 kg against 2.8 kg for the pale fox, about 2.0 times the weight.

Pale fox (Vulpes pallida)
Pale fox LCLeast Concern
Photo: J. G. Keulemans · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Red fox LCLeast Concern
Photo: ClaudiaTen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a pale fox and a red fox?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The red fox is heavier: 5.48 kg against 2.8 kg for the pale fox, about 2.0 times the weight.
  • The pale fox is longer-lived: 19.5 years against 15 years for the red fox, about 30% longer.
  • Both belong to the genus Vulpes, so they are close relatives.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Side by side

Pale foxRed fox
Scientific nameVulpes pallidaVulpes vulpes
FamilyCanidaeCanidae
OrderCarnivoraCarnivora
Weight2.8 kg – 10.6 kg4.58 kg – 6.26 kg
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan19.5 years15 years
Main foodNot recordedfruit, oryctolagus
HabitatNot recordeddesert, forest, grassland, human_modified, shrubland, wetland
Conservation statusLeast ConcernLeast Concern
Countries recordedNot recorded1

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: Pale foxFull record: Red foxCompare other animals